What do you think?
Rate this book
Lone Wolves
Deneena Yazzie's love of the woods and trail come from her grandfather, who teaches her their all-but-vanished Native Alaskan language. While her peers lose hope, trapped between the old and the modern cultures, and turn to destructive behaviors, Denny and her mysterious lead dog, a blue-eyed wolf, train for the Great Race—giving her town a new pride and hope.
190 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2013
2 people are currently reading
240 people want to read
About the author
John E. Smelcer
32 books33 followersJohn E. Smelcer is the poetry editor of Rosebud magazine and the author of more than forty books. He is an Alaskan Native of the Ahtna tribe, and is now the last tribal member who reads and writes in Ahtna.
His forthcoming novel, LONE WOLVES is being partially funded via an Indiegogo campaign. Check out this video and the unusual gifts offered. Among them, you can choose an autographed, numbered, limited-edition print of an award-winning poem by the author, with original artwork; you can have your name used for a character in the author's next book. http://igg.me/at/Leapfrog-Press/x/399...
Smelcer's first novel, The Trap, was an American Library Association BBYA Top Ten Pick, a VOYA Top Shelf Selection, and a New York Public Library Notable Book. The Great Death was short-listed for the 2011 William Allen White Award, and nominated for the National Book Award, the BookTrust Prize (England), and the American Library Association's Award for American Indian YA Literature. His Alaska Native mythology books include The Raven and the Totem (introduced by Joseph Campbell). His short stories, poems, essays, and interviews have appeared in hundreds of magazines, and he is winner of the 2004 Milt Kessler Poetry Book Award and of the 2004 Western Writers of America Award for Poetry for his collection Without Reservation, which was nominated for a Pulitzer. John divides his time between a cabin in Talkeetna, the climbing capitol of Alaska, where he wrote much of Lone Wolves, and Kirksville Mo., where he is a visiting scholar in the Department of Communications Studies at Truman State University.
Smelcer is a prolific writer and poet whose many works focus primarily on subjects related to his Native American heritage. An Ahtna Athabaskan Indian, he also serves as executive director of the Ahtna tribe's Heritage Foundation. He is, noted a biographer on the Center for the Art of Translation Web site, the only surviving reader, speaker, and writer of the native Ahtna language. John holds degrees in anthropology and archaeology, linguistics, literature, and education. He also holds a PhD in English and creative writing from Binghamton University, and formerly chaired the Alaska Native Studies program at the University of Alaska Anchorage.
In the Shadows of Mountains: Ahtna Stories from the Copper River contains a collection of twenty-four stories from the Ahtna tribe. The stories consist of material by Ahtna elders and other tales told to Smelcer by his Ahtna relatives. These largely mythical stories "explore the processes that formed this world and created people, animals, places, and the distinctive interactions" between humans and nonhumans in legendary times, noted James Ruppert in MELUS. The tales range from stories common throughout Alaska, such as "The Blind Man and the Lion," to distinctly Ahtna stories specific to individual families and clans, such as "When They Killed the Monkey People." Ruppert concluded that Smelcer's book "has some value as a broad introduction to Ahtna narrative aimed at a general reader."
The Trap, Smelcer's first novel, is an "unforgettable survival tale, with both a life and a culture in the balance," commented Vicky Smith in Horn Book Magazine. Septuagenarian Albert Least-Weasel still clings to the old ways he has known all his life. While checking his traplines one cold winter day, Albert gets caught in one of his own wolf traps. Unable to reach his store of supplies, Albert faces certain death by exposure, dehydration, or animal attack, unless he can free himself or is rescued. At home, Albert's seventeen-year-old grandson Johnny becomes increasingly worried about his grandfather's welfare. Despite his best efforts, he is unable to generate much concern for the old man from his uncles, and cultural pride and the unwillingness to disrespect his elders prevents him from setting out on a search until his grandmother asks him to find her husband. By then, however,
His forthcoming novel, LONE WOLVES is being partially funded via an Indiegogo campaign. Check out this video and the unusual gifts offered. Among them, you can choose an autographed, numbered, limited-edition print of an award-winning poem by the author, with original artwork; you can have your name used for a character in the author's next book. http://igg.me/at/Leapfrog-Press/x/399...
Smelcer's first novel, The Trap, was an American Library Association BBYA Top Ten Pick, a VOYA Top Shelf Selection, and a New York Public Library Notable Book. The Great Death was short-listed for the 2011 William Allen White Award, and nominated for the National Book Award, the BookTrust Prize (England), and the American Library Association's Award for American Indian YA Literature. His Alaska Native mythology books include The Raven and the Totem (introduced by Joseph Campbell). His short stories, poems, essays, and interviews have appeared in hundreds of magazines, and he is winner of the 2004 Milt Kessler Poetry Book Award and of the 2004 Western Writers of America Award for Poetry for his collection Without Reservation, which was nominated for a Pulitzer. John divides his time between a cabin in Talkeetna, the climbing capitol of Alaska, where he wrote much of Lone Wolves, and Kirksville Mo., where he is a visiting scholar in the Department of Communications Studies at Truman State University.
Smelcer is a prolific writer and poet whose many works focus primarily on subjects related to his Native American heritage. An Ahtna Athabaskan Indian, he also serves as executive director of the Ahtna tribe's Heritage Foundation. He is, noted a biographer on the Center for the Art of Translation Web site, the only surviving reader, speaker, and writer of the native Ahtna language. John holds degrees in anthropology and archaeology, linguistics, literature, and education. He also holds a PhD in English and creative writing from Binghamton University, and formerly chaired the Alaska Native Studies program at the University of Alaska Anchorage.
In the Shadows of Mountains: Ahtna Stories from the Copper River contains a collection of twenty-four stories from the Ahtna tribe. The stories consist of material by Ahtna elders and other tales told to Smelcer by his Ahtna relatives. These largely mythical stories "explore the processes that formed this world and created people, animals, places, and the distinctive interactions" between humans and nonhumans in legendary times, noted James Ruppert in MELUS. The tales range from stories common throughout Alaska, such as "The Blind Man and the Lion," to distinctly Ahtna stories specific to individual families and clans, such as "When They Killed the Monkey People." Ruppert concluded that Smelcer's book "has some value as a broad introduction to Ahtna narrative aimed at a general reader."
The Trap, Smelcer's first novel, is an "unforgettable survival tale, with both a life and a culture in the balance," commented Vicky Smith in Horn Book Magazine. Septuagenarian Albert Least-Weasel still clings to the old ways he has known all his life. While checking his traplines one cold winter day, Albert gets caught in one of his own wolf traps. Unable to reach his store of supplies, Albert faces certain death by exposure, dehydration, or animal attack, unless he can free himself or is rescued. At home, Albert's seventeen-year-old grandson Johnny becomes increasingly worried about his grandfather's welfare. Despite his best efforts, he is unable to generate much concern for the old man from his uncles, and cultural pride and the unwillingness to disrespect his elders prevents him from setting out on a search until his grandmother asks him to find her husband. By then, however,
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
December 9, 2018
Denny Yazzie loves learning the customs, language and survival lore of her Native Alaskan heritage. While her schoolmates spiral into depression and hopelessness, she is encouraged in her learning by her grandfather. She takes risks on the ice and risks with the wild - leaving food for a lone wolf that has been separated from the pack. A pack that killed a favourite schoolteacher.
When her grandfather dies, Denny decides to honour his memory by training for the Great Race - an endurance event where team of dogs complete a 1000 mile journey through the harshest terrain Alaska has to offer. But she's a lot of money short of being able to enter. Not to mention a dog short of the minimum required for a team. Will the wolf she's befriended fill the gap? And how will she stack up against well-heeled and well-supported competitors when even her own village is reluctant to help her achieve her dream?
When her grandfather dies, Denny decides to honour his memory by training for the Great Race - an endurance event where team of dogs complete a 1000 mile journey through the harshest terrain Alaska has to offer. But she's a lot of money short of being able to enter. Not to mention a dog short of the minimum required for a team. Will the wolf she's befriended fill the gap? And how will she stack up against well-heeled and well-supported competitors when even her own village is reluctant to help her achieve her dream?
August 30, 2017
I thought this was an excellent book. The main character is amazing, such an incredible heroine. Humble and strong, loving and patient, hard-working and enduring and struggling with so many real problems and obstacles. I can't wait to recommend this book to my teenage sisters.
July 30, 2018
Once again Mr Smelcer has amazed me. I really enjoy reading his entertaining and informative books.
August 21, 2024
Informative. Since it's a juvenile book I gave it 4 stars but for me a little too much text book sounding among intermittent storyline. Picked up near the ending.
July 29, 2016
Deneena Yazzie, Denny to most, is a 16 year old native Alaskan. Don’t call her an Eskimo, she’s an Indian. Her closest friend is her grandfather, who has been teaching her their native language, seldom spoken by anyone other than the dwindling elders. She spends most of her time, other than school where she doesn’t fit in, mushing. Eight dogs pull the wooden sled her grandfather hand-built years ago, while he follows nearby on his snowmobile. Her grandfather encourages Denny to compete in her first dogsled competition where she takes third place, qualifying her for the longest, toughest dog sled competition known to man. Unfortunately, Denny will have to travel the 1,100 mile trip across the Alaskan wilderness without the support of her community. There’s so much more about the storyline I want to add but won’t to keep you all in suspense.
Denny is a unique and inspiring character; a great role model for young girls. Not only because she perseveres while her whole village refuses to support her, but also that she wants to learn her heritage and preserve her culture. The author tells Denny’s story in such a way that makes you crave to learn more about Alaskan history and culture. The best kind of book.
Denny is a unique and inspiring character; a great role model for young girls. Not only because she perseveres while her whole village refuses to support her, but also that she wants to learn her heritage and preserve her culture. The author tells Denny’s story in such a way that makes you crave to learn more about Alaskan history and culture. The best kind of book.
March 15, 2015
Not only is this one of the most gorgeous covers I have ever seen, but this is one of the greatest adventure books that I have ever read! It is especially great for young women who mostly have to contend with the boys getting the adventure seat. In essence of Call of the Wild, Balto, and White Fang Smelcer has designed a story that will remain close to my heart.
The author, an Alaskan native himself, has caught the true spirit of the Alaskan Wilderness and the heart of her native people. Not only that, but he has been able to connect to a wider teenage audience as he has included the struggles that many teenagers have to deal with.
Our main character, Denny, is a girl worth looking up to. She does not let her circumstances break her. She beats the odds by setting her heart in the right direction. I wish that I had been more like Denny while growing up. She has a courage that I wish that I possessed. I love that Smelcer contains strong family connections in his story seeing how that is a quality that is missing in a lot of YA novels today. Another great book for any reluctant readers out there.
The author, an Alaskan native himself, has caught the true spirit of the Alaskan Wilderness and the heart of her native people. Not only that, but he has been able to connect to a wider teenage audience as he has included the struggles that many teenagers have to deal with.
Our main character, Denny, is a girl worth looking up to. She does not let her circumstances break her. She beats the odds by setting her heart in the right direction. I wish that I had been more like Denny while growing up. She has a courage that I wish that I possessed. I love that Smelcer contains strong family connections in his story seeing how that is a quality that is missing in a lot of YA novels today. Another great book for any reluctant readers out there.
December 27, 2014
All of the blurbs about this book are by adult writers of note, but this is intended as a kids book and as such is not terribly impressive.The language is awkward and amateurish and downright pedantic.The plot is pat.The glossary and other notes in the back are clearly aimed at much older readers.
I fear that the glowing reviews of this book (including the one I must have read in Kirkus) are more about the fact that the author is the last speaker of his native language and because he IS a Native American than they are about whether or not this book will appeal to children.
On the other hand Jean Craighead George may not have been a Native American (and I find it weird that the term "Indian" is used here), but she wrote with grace and style and feeling and a sense of place. That's why kids and adults alike still read Julie of the Wolves. Read that instead.
I fear that the glowing reviews of this book (including the one I must have read in Kirkus) are more about the fact that the author is the last speaker of his native language and because he IS a Native American than they are about whether or not this book will appeal to children.
On the other hand Jean Craighead George may not have been a Native American (and I find it weird that the term "Indian" is used here), but she wrote with grace and style and feeling and a sense of place. That's why kids and adults alike still read Julie of the Wolves. Read that instead.
January 24, 2016
This is the compelling story of an Alaskan Native American/Caucasian girl who lives in a small village with her mother, grandmother and grandfather, who teaches her how to mush. As the only one in her village who is interested in the tribal language and social values, she becomes the repository of her culture, even though she is reviled by both Native Americans and Whites for being a cross-breed. The story leads her to a friendship with a black wolf and entry into the Great Race with her grandfather's team of dogs, led by her wolf.
This story is told in a warm, generous voice that invites the reader in and leads them along very skillfully. It may not contain the depth of many other novels, but it makes its points poignantly and is very emotionally involving. It is a very quick read and well-worth the time. I strongly recommend this not only for Young Adult readers, but for adults as well. There is a good, honest and deeply satisfying learning in this book, that all should witness.
This story is told in a warm, generous voice that invites the reader in and leads them along very skillfully. It may not contain the depth of many other novels, but it makes its points poignantly and is very emotionally involving. It is a very quick read and well-worth the time. I strongly recommend this not only for Young Adult readers, but for adults as well. There is a good, honest and deeply satisfying learning in this book, that all should witness.
January 12, 2015
Sixteen-year-old Denny is proud of her Native Alaskan heritage. She loves spending time with her grandfather who is only too happy to teach her the indigenous language and cultural traditions. While her friends fall into drug and alcohol abuse, Denny is more interested in dog sledding with her grandfather. When he dies suddenly of a heart attack, Denny decides to enter in the Iditarod Trail sled dog race to make her grandfather proud.
This story has a very dark backdrop. There is the suicide of a cousin, a rape of Denny's friend by a cousin resulting in a pregnancy, an near death when one of Denny's classmates sniffs gas and stops breathing, Denny's alcoholic father has abandoned her but is still lurking around and a violent killing of a teacher by a wolf. Denny rises above all of this and proves herself to be noble in adversity.
This story has a very dark backdrop. There is the suicide of a cousin, a rape of Denny's friend by a cousin resulting in a pregnancy, an near death when one of Denny's classmates sniffs gas and stops breathing, Denny's alcoholic father has abandoned her but is still lurking around and a violent killing of a teacher by a wolf. Denny rises above all of this and proves herself to be noble in adversity.
March 27, 2014
A young adult novel about a Native Alaskan teenage girl who runs and completes the Iditarod, with a tamed wolf as her lead dog. (Although the book never calls the sport anything but 'the Great Race' - is this due to licensing of the Iditarod name?) Apparently the author is the last person to speak his Athabascan language and collect poetry/stories of his tribe, so both are sprinkled liberally throughout the book, in a refreshingly educational manner. My only objection to the work was a few errors that anyone familiar with the Idiatrod would be aware of (age limit, wolves not allowed, fees and requirements for entry, etc). Using suspension of disbelief to overlook those items, it was nice read and I wouldn't mind exploring the authors other works.
January 3, 2016
Lone Wolves is similar to Jack London's "Call of the Wild". Although this story follows sixteen year old girl, Denny, who has a love for the wilderness passed down from her Gradfather Joseph Yazzie. She is the only teenager her age who has learned their peoples' language along with being a young dog sledding enthusiast. There is a point where her hobby becomes a way of making money for her family. Denny is met with opposition, but through courage and a little help from a new friend, she brings pride to her community.
December 15, 2013
I received a copy of this book through the First Reads Giveaways.
I enjoyed this book. It is set against a beautiful Alaskan snowy backdrop.
It was a lovely book, very well-written, and yet, also heartbreakingly sad.
I really fell in love with the protagonist. I normally don't enjoy stories about teenagers, as the plots are usually superficial and trite, but in this case, her age did not detract from the story at all. To be so young, she seemed to have experienced so much.
Beautiful story by an incredibly talented author. I hope to read more of his work in the future.
I enjoyed this book. It is set against a beautiful Alaskan snowy backdrop.
It was a lovely book, very well-written, and yet, also heartbreakingly sad.
I really fell in love with the protagonist. I normally don't enjoy stories about teenagers, as the plots are usually superficial and trite, but in this case, her age did not detract from the story at all. To be so young, she seemed to have experienced so much.
Beautiful story by an incredibly talented author. I hope to read more of his work in the future.
November 8, 2013
This book was so good and so sad. Also beware of spoilers. Really if I would say who recommeneded the book to me was me and probably the book. Yes the book caught my eye and I wanted to read it badly. It was really cool that she liked her language. I was shocked nobody else wanted to learn the language. My favorite part was probably when she gave up the race to save another player. I was really proud and sad for her. Well this book was good and it was sad that it had to come to a end just like every other book.
June 26, 2014
I read this book with my husky at my feet while wishing for it to be snowing. I am sure I will read this book again come winter with a cup of coffee to ward away the delightful chill of winter.
I found this book to be well researched. All the information on dog sledding, the native culture and geographic region was not only correct but integrated into the story. Part of the books purpose was also a plot thread of the main character.
I enjoy this read.
I found this book to be well researched. All the information on dog sledding, the native culture and geographic region was not only correct but integrated into the story. Part of the books purpose was also a plot thread of the main character.
I enjoy this read.
December 8, 2013
A beautiful story from a wonderful storyteller.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews